Golf putting practice device



C. G. AUSTIN ET AL GOLF PUTTING PRACTICEDEVICE Oct. 13, 1959 Filed Sept. 30, 1957 United States Patent 2,908,503 GOLF rnrrnsc PRACTICE DEVICE Charles G. Austin, Skokie, and George A. Hartung, Bro'okfield, Ill., assignors to Federated Industries Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois 1 Application September 30, 1957, Serial No. 686,932

6 Claims. (Cl. 273-179) This invention relates to a golf putting practice device and game, and more particularly to a golf putting practice device which is characterized by simplicity of construction and convenience of operation.

Generally prior art golf putting practice devices have been utilized in which the ball was driven toward a device containing a hole approximately the size and shape of the conventional golf course cup. In many such devices each play required removal of the ball from the cup before resuming practice. Other devices have been proposed which comprise a golf ball receiving cavity disposed within the target area which upon receiving a golf ball directed therein would eject the same by a variety of mechanical means in the general direction of the player. One of the characteristic difficulties with this latter type of golf practice device is that the golf balls, which are inaccurately directed toward the target cup and pass a short distance to either side thereof or are driven too rapidly and therefore over the target area, requires the player to retrieve such balls manually before resuming play.

Similarly, the mechanisms for conveying and ejecting golf balls from the cavity of a practice device have heretofore been complex, inaccurate, prone to mechanical difliculties, and interfered with the realistic simulation of actual golf putting conditions.

Accordingly, one of the objects of the present invention is the provision of a golf putting practice device which will automatically return golf balls driven into the target area to the player.

A further object is the provision of an apparatus for golf putting practice in which golf balls driven to an area closely adjacent the target cup are retrieved and returned to the player.

A still further object is the provision of a golf putting practice apparatus in which golf balls driven at speeds to pass over the golf cup are retrieved by the apparatus and returned to the player.

A still further object is the provision of a golf putting practice apparatus which closely simulates actual golf putting conditions.

A still further object is the provision of a golf putting practice device which is simple in construction and fool proof in operation.

These and other objects of the present invention will appear from the description, accompanying drawings and appended claims.

In carrying out this invention in one form, there is provided a golf putting practice device comprising a base and an inclined ramp forming a putting surface angularly disposed and sloping rearwardly above the base, said ramp having a generally circular ball-receiving hole intermediate the front and rear ends and spaced from the sides thereof. Means are provided for confining the golf balls on the sloping surface of the ramp and a golf ball conveying device is disposed beneath the hole having a rearwardly diverging track for urging golf balls disposed thereon rearwardly to a solenoid ejection device at the Patented Oct. 13, 1959 ICC rearward portion of the track. Trip means are provided cooperating with a golf ball rolling rearwardly on said track' for energizing the solenoid ejection device. Deflecting means are also provided cooperating with the forward portion of the track spaced from and substantially under the hole in the ramp for deflecting a golf ball driven forward on the track by the solenoid outwardly and up- Wardly through said hole.

For a more complete understanding of this invention reference should now be had to the drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the golf putting practice device of the present invention on a reduced scale;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the golf practice device of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the golf practice device of Figs. 1 and 2, with the ramp portion removed showing the golf ball conveying device disposed upon the base of the apparatus;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged section of the golf putting practice device of Fig. 2, taken along the line 4-4;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged partial section of the golf ball conveying mechanism and ejection device taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 3, there is shown a golf putting practice device 10 having a base 12 and rearwardly sloping ramp 14. A golf ball receiving cavity or hole 16 is centrally located in the surface of the ramp 14 intermediate the front 18 and rear 20 ends and spaced from the sides thereof. Side walls 22 and rear wall 24 form means for confining a golf ball driven on the ramp surface, preventing the ball from rolling off to either side or at the rear thereof.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the ramp 14 is disposed to slope upwardly and rearwardly from the base plane at the front edge 18 to the elevated rearward edge 20. There is also provided upon the surface of the ramp 14 deflecting means or wings 26 disposed along the sides of the hole 16 extending rearwardly and angled away from the sides of the hole. The deflecting wings 26 have an inclined forward surface contiguous with that of the ramp 14 and a rearward facing surface or edge elevated from the plane of the ramp 14, so as to provide an abutment surface capable of deflecting and guiding a golf ball along the deflecting wing to gravitate toward the hole 16, in the central portion of the ramp. The side walls 22 and rear wall 24 provide means for confining golf balls driven into the general vicinity of the device but not directly into the hole whereby they may be directed into the golf ball cavity from the rear portions in the ramp behind the wings 26 by virtue of the forward and downward slope of the ramp 14. 1

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, there is illustrated a golf ball conveying device 28 comprising a track or channel 30 extending and diverging rearwardly to a solenoid ejection device 32. It should be understood, of course, that the term diverging track is intended to describe a track of two complementary rails or ball supporting elements which are spaced in a predetermined manner and progressively diverge or separate throughout the length thereof. The track or channel 30 progressively diverges bilaterally from the most forward point 30a in an arcuate and symmetrical manner through channels 30 h which join at the rear point 30c and connect with a rearwardly and progressively diverging track 30a. The arcuate portions of track 30 are spaced from and in substantial opposing relation to hole 16. A golf ball falling through hole 16 drops onto the conveying device 28 and into the forward and arcuate portion of track 3% and thence passes over or through track 30d to the ejection device 32.

In the forward, arcuate or circular portion of track 3017 there is provided a deflecting device or island 36 located forward of center of the circular confines defined by the outer edge of track 30 extending rearwardly from 30a to 300. The deflector 36 serves several functions including forming the inner edge of track 30 in the forward portions thereof extending from 30a to 306, and also to deflect golf balls dropping by gravity through hole 16 to the circular channel or track 30b surrounding the deflector 36. The island 36 also serves as a deflection device in cooperation with the ejection mechanism 32 and track 30d as hereinafter more fully described. The deflecting means or island as shown is generally circular in shape and partially spherical in cross section having tapered side portions. In Fig. 3 is illustrated a switch or similar means 38 having a tripping arm 40 extending across the track 30d and spaced from and adjacent the solenoid 32. A plunger 42 in solenoid 32 is adapted to drive a golf ball forwardly upon energizing the solenoid. Electrical connections 43 are provided leading to a source of power which may be supplied to the solenoid 32 through switch 33 by a golf ball tripping switch arm 40. Upon energization of the solenoid the plunger 42 is driven forwardly contacting the golf ball adjacent to the forward portion thereof, driving said golf ball forwardly on the track 30d against the island or deflecting means 36. The golf ball on striking the deflecting means 36 changes its path so as to be driven upwardly and outwardly through hole 16 in a direction generally in forward relation to the sloping surface of the ramp 14 in the golf putting practice device 10.

Fig. 4 illustrates the construction of the golf putting practice device and specifically the golf ball conveying means disposed under the hole 16 of the ramp 14. The general path of a golf ball 34 is also illustrated by arrows passing from the ramp 14 through hole 16 and on the divergent track 30 rearwardly toward the solenoid ejection device 32. It should be noted that while the ramp is inclined with relation to the base 12, the golf ball conveying device 28 has no such inclined surfaces, the principal source of movement being the golf ball dropping down into the progressively diverging track extending rearwardly from 30a. Specifically the track 30 is so designed that the forward portion 30a is the narrowest and the track extends bilaterally at 30b to diverge progressively about island 36 joining at 300 with rearwardly diverging track 30d.

The track or channel 30 is of suflicient depth so that the golf ball may drop progressively lower between the expanding sides thereof and by seeking its lowest center of gravity the ball is automatically conveyed rearwardly toward the solenoid ejection device.

In Fig. may be seen the front elevational view of the solenoid device along the track 30b illustrating the placement of the trip arm 40 in relation to the solenoid 32 and plunger 42.

In operation a golf ball putted onto the ramp of the device illustrated in Fig. 1 passes over the forward portions of the ramp and if properly directed into cup or hole 16 it passes to the golf ball conveying mechanism 28, thence rearwardly on track 30 to the solenoid ejection device 32.

Balls which are not driven sufficiently accurately to drop directly into the cup, 16 pass rearwardly on the ramp 14 on the forward surface of wings 26 to the rear portion of the ramp defined by the areas extending rearwardly from the deflecting means 26 to the rear wall 24 and the portions of the side walls 22 intersected by their projection. Since the ramp 14 is disposed at an angle to the base 12 and forwardly inclined with respect thereto, golf balls in this rearward portion roll forwardly and against the wings 26 and are thence directed to the hole 16 and onto the ball conveying mechanism 28. This particular arrangement makes it possible for balls which are not only inaccurately driven and those which travel too fast and would ordinarily pass over the golf cup to be retrieved by the device and carried into the golf cup and thence to the ejection mechanism. A golf ball passing from the forward portion of the golf ball conveying apparatus 28 is conveyed on channel 30 and abuts against a trip means thereby energizing, through switch 38, the solenoid 32 whereby the plunger 42 is forwardly driven against the golf ball which is then ejected forward on track 30d against deflecting island 36 and upwardly and outwardly through hole 16.

Of course, as is conventional in many solenoids, the stroke of the plunger 42 may be adjusted so as to provide ejection and return to within any suitable putting range such as from 5 to 20 feet. It is to be noted with the apparatus and golf putting device of the present invention that golf balls are returned to the player notwithstanding the fact that they have not been driven toward the cup or hole 16 with sufiicient accuracy and proper speed so as to drop in, as in conventional golf putting.

Accordingly, the necessity of retrieving golf balls by hand which would ordinarily pass by or over a golf putting apparatus of this type is eliminated. Furthermore it should be noted that it is preferred that the golf putting practice device have on the surface of ramp 14 a suitable material such as floccing so as to as closely as possible simulate actual golf putting green conditions. This device is well adapted for indoor use such as golf putting practice on carpets or the like or it may also be used in conjunction with natural outdoor putting greens to more closely simulate conditions found in golf play.

It should also be noted that the wings 26 are so positioned as not to interfere with balls which would ordinarily be expected to drop into the cup but are spaced at the sides and slightly to the rear of the widest diameter of the cup or hole 16.

While the foregoing apparatus is believed to be useful as a golf putting practice device, it is also true that the apparatus of the present invention is well adapted for use as a childrens game and may be adjusted with respect to the size of hole and the type of balls to be accommodated providing a variety of possibilities for amusement and entertainment of persons both young and old.

In this connection it might be stated that a plurality of such cavities might be assembled together to provide a game of skill directed toward rolling or driving a ball into holes of various diameters and/or placement, encouraging the development of skill and accuracy.

While a particular embodiment of this invention is shown above, it will be understood, of course, that the invention is not to be limited thereto, since many modifications may be made, and it is contemplated, therefore, by the appended claims, to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

We claim:

1. A golf putting practice device comprising a base, an inclined ramp forming a putting surface disposed above said base, said ramp having a generally circular ballreceiving hole intermediate the front and rear ends and spaced from the sides thereof, means for confining a golf ball on the ramp, a golf ball conveying device disposed beneath said hole comprising a track having rearwardly diverging sides for supporting and urging a golf ball rearwardly thereon, a solenoid ejection device at the rearward portion of said track, means cooperating with a golf ball rearwardly driven on said track for energizing the solenoid, and means cooperating with the forward portion of the track for deflecting a golf ball driven forward by the solenoid outwardly and upwardly through said hole.

2. A golf putting practice device comprising a base, an inclined ramp forming a putting surface disposed above said base, said ramp having a generally circular ball receiving hole intermediate the front and rear ends and spaced from the sides thereof, a pair of deflecting wings on said ramp surface extending angularly and rearwardly from the sides of said hole having forwardly inclined surfaces and adapted to guide a golf ball from the rearward portion of said ramp to gravitate into said hole, a golf ball conveying device disposed beneath said hole having a rearwardly extending track having rearwardly diverging sides and extending under said ramp, a solenoid ball ejection device disposed at the rear portion of said track, means adjacent to the solenoid for energizing the latter by contact with a golf ball on the rear portion of said track, and means for deflecting a golf ball driven forwardly by said solenoid upwardly and outwardly of said hole.

3. A golf putting practice device comprising a base, a forwardly inclined ramp forming a putting surface disposed above said base, said ramp having a generally circular ball-receiving hole centrally located therein, a pair of deflecting wings at opposite sides of said hole at an outwardly and rearwardly projecting angle so as to deflect a golf ball at the rearward portion of the ramp into the hole, said wings having an inclined forward surface and a rear surface projecting above the plane of the ramp, means for confining a golf ball to the surface of the ramp disposed at the rear and side portions thereof, a golf ball conveying device disposed beneath and in substantially opposed relation to said hole, comprising a track with rearwardly diverging sides including a circular portion in substantially opposed and spaced ball-receiving relation to said hole and a connecting linear portion, a solenoid disposed at the rear portion of said track, trip means for energizing said solenoid by a golf ball passing down said track, and deflecting means centrally disposed in the forward and circular portion of said track and adapted to deflect a golf ball driven forwardly by said solenoid, upwardly and outwardly through said hole.

4. A golf putting practice device comprising a base, an inclined ramp forming a putting surface disposed above said base, said ramp having a ball receiving aperture centrally located therein, means for confining a golf ball to the surfaces of said ramp at the rear and side portions thereof, a golf ball conveying device disposed on said base beneath said hole and comprising a rearwardly extending track having rearwardly diverging sides including a circular portion disposed in substantially opposed, spaced and ball receiving relation to said aperture and a linear portion extending rearwardly on the base from the circular portion, a solenoid ejection device disposed adjacent the rearward terminus of the linear portion of the track, means adapted for cooperation with a golf ball driven rearwardly on the track adjacent the solenoid for energizing said solenoid and thereby driving a golf ball forwardly on said track and means for deflecting a golf ball driven by said solenoid upwardly and outwardly through said ball receiving aperture.

5. A golf putting practice device comprising a base, an inclined ramp forming a putting surface disposed above said base, said' ramp having a' generally circular ball receiving aperture substantially centrally located tion device adjacent the rear terminus of said track,

means adapted for cooperation with a golf ball rolling rearwardly along said track to a point adjacent the solenoid for energizing said solenoid and driving a golf ball forward, and means centrally disposed within the circular portion of said track for deflecting a golf ball driven forwardly on the linear portion of said track by the solenoid, upwardly and outwardly through said ball receiving aperture.

6. A golf putting practice device comprising a base, a forwardly inclined ramp forming a putting surface disposed above said base; said ramp having a circular aperture centrally located therein, means for confining a golf ball to the surface of the ramp at the rear and side portions thereof, a golf ball conveying device aflixed to said base, said conveying device comprising a channel having rearwardly diverging golf ball supporting side members including a circular portion in substantially opposed and spaced ball-receiving relation to said ball aperture, and a connecting linear portion extending rearwardly thereof, a solenoid ejection device adjacent the rear terminus of the linear portion of said channel, means adapted for cooperation with a golf ball rolling rearwardly on the channel adjacent the solenoid for energizing the solenoid and driving a golf ball forwardly on said channel, and means centrally disposed in the circular portion of said channel for deflecting a golf ball driven forwardly by said solenoid, upwardly and outwardly through said ball receiving aperture.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

